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Glasgow muscle up late to dismiss Munster in bonus point win

By PA
Scotland , United Kingdom - 21 March 2025; Ruadhan Quinn of Munster in action during the United Rugby Championship match between Glasgow Warriors and Munster at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo By Ewan Bootman/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Glasgow trailed for most of the night but staged a late rally to claim a bonus-point 28-25 victory over Munster and tighten their grip on second spot in the United Rugby Championship.

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Although missing some key Scotland internationals like Huw Jones, Rory Darge and Zander Fagerson following their Six Nations exertions, Warriors welcomed back captain Kyle Steyn from injury for his first appearance in two months, while Tonga back-rower returned for his first outing in 15 months.

Glasgow were applauded on to the pitch by the Warriors’ 2015 Pro12 title-winning squad, who were in attendance to mark 10 years since their triumph, but the hosts were on the back foot early on as Munster started strongly.

The visitors’ early momentum looked in danger of being disrupted when they had lock Fineen Wycherley yellow carded for a needless act of cynical play at the breakdown.

The second-rower’s indiscipline did not prove costly, however, as his team still managed to fashion a seven-point lead during his time in the bin, with flanker John Hodnett darting in from the left to score following a crossfield kick from Tony Butler.

Munster went further ahead in the 23rd minute when Sean O’Brien came in off his wing and reached over for a brilliant close-range finish on the on the right. Butler was off target with the conversion attempt.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored
3.5
8
Entries
Avg. Points Scored
3.1
8
Entries

Warriors got themselves up and running in the 28th minute when George Horne finished off after a brilliant interchange with Stafford McDowall to become his club’s joint-highest scorer alongside DTH van der Merwe on 58. Adam Hastings added the extras.

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Butler added a penalty for Munster in the 33rd minute but the hosts closed the deficit to just one point at the interval as Steyn raced in from halfway and Hastings converted.

Another Butler penalty in the 56th minute gave the visitors some breathing space before they stretched their advantage to 11 points 10 minutes later when O’Brien surged in off the right for his second try of the night, with Rory Scannell kicking the conversion.

Glasgow were back in the game in the 70th minute when replacement Matt Fagerson bulldozed his way through, with Hastings converting. And they eventually got their noses in front for the first time in the 76th minute when Nathan McBeth pushed over from close range following some sustained pressure in front of the line, with Hastings again clipping between the posts.

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SK 1 hour ago
'Haves and have nots': The Six Nations numbers reveal hidden truths

Really interesting stats, especially around the scrums and the props spending so little time in them. The game is changing and is becoming faster but its also heavily territory and momentum dependent now. The amount of tries scored by forwards in the top 3 teams shows the importance of forward firepower at the lineout and is also of great importance when you are 5m out trying to get over the line from general play. Ireland don’t have behemoths but do well in this area due to superior technique and quality, France have the biggest most powerful pack and replace them with an arguably bigger pack with the 7-1 and England have plenty of power in this area. Teams are choosing to retain territory and use pens as a launchpad for dominating territory. Exits have also never been as important as they are today with teams giving away turnovers in their own half being heavily punished. The 50-22 is also important in this respect and we have seen how kickers go for it when on or inside their own 10. This especially happens directly after an aerial duel contest is won or in the event of a turnover in midfield. With the winger out of place and defence scrambling at the line a kicker is well within his rights to go for the 50-22. Giving away back to back penalties is also a no no as this leads to a 60-80m retreat. The Six Nations proves that in the modern age territorial supremacy and forward based power is what is winning games and championships.

10 Go to comments
S
SK 1 hour ago
South African rugby's top heavy house of cards

I think everyone knows that the SA teams are prioritising the URC which is why they have been so bad in Europe. The champions cup group stage fixtures couldnt come at a worse time for SA franchises. They come hot on the heels of the Autumn internationals and in December and Jan when its coldest in Europe and as hot as it gets in SA. During this period SA franchises have to leap from Africa to Europe one week after the next. SA franchises sometimes have to hop from Europe back to Africa and then back to Europe in 3 to 4 weeks. Mandatory Springbok rest periods are opted into by franchises to keep the players fit as the Springbok players cannot play year-round and injuries take their toll. Fatigue also sets in for players who have played non-stop since March as there is no global calendar. They don’t get a chance to regroup again until the six nations. SA teams prioritise what’s in front of them. The Springboks are top heavy and SA franchises are in Transition between the new and older generation. There are lots of youngsters coming through but they need more time at the top level. Coaching is also in transition in SA Rugby with many coaches at a young age. The age group levels SA has underperformed but the talent is there. Its coming through at franchise level and these players are getting great experience playing in a variety of comps. I would hardly call it a house of cards though. Succession planning has already become a reality. At Prop the Springboks are already replacing the seniors, at Scrum Half the Springboks are building depth and at 10 they have loads of options now and at 4 and 5 the Boks have used a host of players in recent years. Rassie has a plan for 2027 and the best coaching staff at international level. He has some difficult questions in front of him when it comes to the squad but is finding answers at the moment. Yes its possible Springbok performances could dip this year and perhaps in 2026 however I would not bet against them continuing to dominate while in transition. There were similar doubts cast about them last year and they proved the doubters wrong.

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